Tennessee Mental Health Treatment for Acute Stress Disorder

Trauma can have lasting effects on people, leading to mental health disorders that can devastate their lives for years. Trauma disorders, also known as trauma-related disorders or stress-related disorders, are mental health conditions that result from experiencing or witnessing traumatic events. Whether it be post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other disorders, the risk factors are the same. Symptoms of PTSD are closely related to acute stress disorder.

Acute stress disorder is characterized by the development of various symptoms that have the potential to negatively affect an individual’s performance and well-being in the long run. Acute stress disorder (ASD) is one such challenge. However, TRUE Addiction and Behavioral Health’s Tennessee mental health treatment for acute stress disorder offers the support needed for long-term recovery and treatment options for symptoms of ASD.

Each individual’s experience and response to trauma can vary. Our qualified mental health professionals and clinicians can assess and diagnose trauma-related disorders based on an individual’s specific symptoms and provide appropriate treatment and support.

Acute stress disorder is typically short-lived and lasts about a month. Individuals have an intense and dysfunctional response to a traumatic event. 5-20% of people who experience trauma have a bout of acute stress disorder. 

Tennessee Mental Health Treatment: Understanding the Facts about Acute Stress Disorder

According to the World Health Organization, adults who have been trauma victims are 3 times as likely to have significant depression, 4 times as likely to contemplate suicide, and 6 times more likely to suffer from post‐traumatic stress disorder. In addition, they are 13 times as likely to attempt suicide and 26 times more likely to develop a substance use disorder (SUD). 

Acute trauma occurs due to a single event or a series of events that lead to acute emotional distress. Serious accidents, natural disasters, or violent crimes cause acute trauma. Individuals with acute trauma have constant flashbacks, anxiety, and depression and experience difficulty sleeping.  

Chronic trauma is a mental health problem that results from repeated and prolonged exposure to adverse events such as physical or emotional abuse, neglect, or dysfunction within the home. Chronic trauma impacts an individual’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being.  

Complex trauma is long-term or repeated exposure to traumatic events. Individuals with complex trauma have a negative sense of self and safety and experience trouble holding lasting personal relationships. This type of drama is typically the result of physical or sexual abuse or neglect by caregivers. 

Trauma disorders affect millions of people worldwide and are a stress response. The prevalence of trauma disorders can vary depending on the type of trauma, lifestyle choices that impact mental health, and access to resources and support. Trauma can interfere with the processes of the brain and nervous system. Psychological factors, such as perceptions of threat, cognitive abilities, and individual stability, play a role in developing trauma disorders.

Trauma disorders are treatable, and more so with early intervention. Evidence-based treatments for trauma disorders include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).

Tennessee Mental Health Treatment: Recognizing Signs and Dangers of Acute Stress Disorders

People with trauma disorders often have difficulty understanding the triggers and actions of people who have experienced such horrific trauma that it never leaves them. Stressors can vary for each individual. However, we are your first line of defense.

Diagnosing trauma symptoms helps doctors better understand and identify each individual’s needs. Not all people experience trauma the same way. 

People typically experience:

• Flashbacks, bad dreams, or frightening thoughts
• Avoidance of specific places or things that may trigger fear or panic
• Being easily startled
• Feeling tense or “on edge” constantly
• Having difficulty sleeping
• Having angry outbursts
• Difficulty remembering critical points of the trauma-inducing event
• Negative thoughts
• Feelings of guilt or blame
• Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
• Intense panic attacks
• Insomnia or depression
• Chronic pain

Importance of Acute Stress Disorder Treatment

Treatment is the first step in controlling the symptoms if you or someone you know might be suffering from a trauma disorder. Individuals need medical support from professionals who understand their medical condition and pre-existing medical issues. 

For some, managing the symptoms alone isn’t possible. That’s why seeking support from a treatment team who can develop a course of action is vital. Working collaboratively with each individual, treatment facilities can create a personalized plan to assist in long-term recovery. 

Through proper medication, therapy, and support, individuals with a trauma disorder can manage their symptoms and learn coping skills to feel more grounded to complete daily functions and avoid re-experiencing trauma.

TRUE’s Tennessee Mental Health Treatment for Acute Stress Disorder

To meet the needs of every person seeking help, we offer various treatment services that we can customize to each client’s specific needs. Our flexible programs allow us to reach all people in need, regardless of their home or work situation.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Inpatient programs aren’t always required or serve the needs of every individual. For people with an involved support system at home, an intensive outpatient program better meets their needs. Trauma disorder treatment centers understand the importance of family in people’s lives. Because of that, many offer an intensive outpatient program (IOP). 

This program suits individuals who do not need around-the-clock care. This option is typically designed for individuals moving out of PHP. Most IOPs meet 3-4 days weekly for 3-5 hours, giving women time to return to their daily obligations. 

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) can benefit patients needing more than outpatient care without 24/7 inpatient treatment. PHPs help individuals by providing a safe and structured environment with access to medical supervision, including psychotherapy, one-on-one and individual therapy, support groups, and medication management when needed. 

Individuals in this program can access care during the day and return home in the evenings to continue their routines. They can practice positive lifestyle changes and build social connections in a supportive community. We provide exposure therapy during the first month of treatment to understand how to approach critical incidents. We help our clients work through intrusion symptoms and the stimuli that provoke them.

Sober Living

For our clients with co-occurring substance use disorder, a sober living community is an ideal option in this case. We understand the importance of treating both mental health and addiction. This dual diagnosis sometimes requires medication management as part of the treatment plan.

Our sober living homes offer structured housing that provides additional accountability through drug tests and curfews. Sober living is often used in conjunction with PHP and IOP. Sober living homes offer structured accommodations that provide extra accountability through drug tests, curfews, and peer support groups. Sober living is often used with PHP and IOP and makes for an easier transition back to daily life and obligations.

Being among peers can support long-term sobriety. Our follow-up includes psychological debriefing to deal with dissociative symptoms and posttraumatic signs. Sober living isn’t a short-term solution. Instead, it provides coping skills for acute stress reactions and ways to develop avoidance symptoms for long-term recovery.

TRUE’s Tennessee Mental Health Treatment Services for Acute Stress Disorder

Our combination of evidence-based therapeutic techniques improves our clients’ chances of leaving our facilities sober, along with coping strategies for their mental illness. These techniques teach our clients positive, healthy habits that promote continued growth after the treatment program ends. The skills learned can be applied during aftercare.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) helps individuals understand unhelpful thoughts and stressful events that can lead to negative emotions or behaviors. REBT focuses on the moment and what a person is feeling. Our therapists help you form new ways of approaching challenges, thoughts, and circumstances. The root of the adverse emotions is addressed so that self-sabotaging behavior can taper off.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) makes individuals aware of attention and concentration problems associated with acute stress disorder symptoms. It improves their organization and time management. They can break down tasks easier to manage their daily lives. CBT builds confidence and controls impulsive behavior. Individuals with alcohol addiction gain confidence and can control impulsive and risky behaviors.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) helps individuals participate in their therapy. We recommend DBT as a treatment for alcohol addiction because it is effective. DBT combines CBT, mindfulness, and acceptance strategies. DBT teaches essential skills for managing emotions, impulsive behavior, and relationships. Individuals set goals, track progress, and make decisions about their treatment.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Motivational interviewing is a helpful approach for individuals struggling with substance use. Motivational interviewing involves a non-judgemental and empathetic conversation with a therapist to help increase our clients’ motivation to change their behaviors. By exploring each individual’s values, goals, and concerns, the approach identifies and reinforces self-determination to begin making more positive changes.

With guidance, clients gain insights into their substance abuse patterns, develop coping skills to reduce their use and work toward recovery. With this approach, clients have the majority ownership in the recovery process as they work to achieve personal goals.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress resulting from disturbing life experiences. Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy, people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference.

Electrodes on the skull can track these impulses and show how they work. Capturing these pictures can tell us a lot about how the brain communicates. And through this, we can see how substance abuse has affected that communication.

Why Choose TRUE Addiction and Behavioral Health for Acute Stress Disorder Treatment?

We are driven by a passion for witnessing people achieve freedom from any affliction that keeps them from living a positive lifestyle of purpose. We provide an environment that creates a supportive healing platform that can transform the brokenhearted into being restored. Our daily breath is to serve others with a purpose-driven mission to break the chains of the hopeless and establish hope, strength, faith, and love for them to find a connection to having a purpose-filled life.

Next Steps for Acute Stress Disorder Treatment

Even if you or a loved one or family member is living with a trauma-focused disorder, learning coping skills to manage the symptoms can improve health, daily functions, and social relationships. Traumatic experiences impact adolescents and young adults differently. Acute stress disorder is a psychiatric order that we can have you overcome. Avoiding self-harm and serious injury is important to us.

Take the first step by calling us today to meet your healthcare needs. Together, you can overcome your psychiatric disorder in a controlled environment. You will find treatment centers, support groups, and resources to help you begin the journey to recovery and an overall healthy lifestyle. Our healthcare providers are standing by.